Up Close and Personal with a......DESERT WHEATEAR

A first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR was discovered at Severn Beach (Avon) on Wednesday 11th December by Paul Bowerman, after he had followed up a report of a wheatear on the beach from a non-birder. It constituted the second record for the county - be it Avon or Gloucestershire - the latter county claiming it within their jurisdiction also. It was still present today, showing incredibly well on the edge of the saltmarsh, delighting a stream of admirers. At times, it seemed worse for weather, sitting still for long periods of time, but maybe it was because it was overloaded by mealworms - a constant supply being offered to it. I spent the afternoon sitting with the bird and taking photographs and after a while of gaining its confidence, eventually managed to feed it by hand...